Siasia, players declare ‘war’ on Egypt, as Eagles move to Kaduna

Super Eagles’ coach, Samson Siasia, has declared that Egypt will not find any chance to play their usual compact game on Friday when they meet Nigeria in an African Nations Cup qualifier in Kaduna.

The Super Eagles yesterday left Abuja for Kaduna, venue of the crucial first leg African Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and Egypt.

The players, including those plying their trade outside the country, as well as their officials, were part of the team’s morning intensive training session before they moved from their Bolton White Apartment camp to Kaduna by road.

Before heading to Kaduna, Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi, who featured in the training session alongside Watford striker, Odion Ighalo, CSKA Moscow star, Aaron Samuel and home-based Oghenekaro Etebo, among others, said nothing would stop Nigeria from earning a deserved victory against the Pharaohs of Egypt.

“We want to win and progress to the Nations Cup next year. This is my job… I do it every day. We have to go in and play together to get what we want. We have to be cautious and tactical.

I think with the new regime, led by Samson Siasia, who I have worked with before, we will do well. I look forward to making Nigerians proud.”

Mikel added, “It’s always difficult to play back home. Outside there, you play for over an hour and you still have strength but it’s difficult because of the weather condition.”

On his part, Captain Ahmed Musa assured of their preparedness to take all three points when they confront the Egyptians, who are due to jet into Nigeria today

Also looking forward to a successful campaign, Siasia said the Egyptians would not be provided space to freely operate in Kaduna on Friday.

According to Siasia, the Egyptians have made so much noise about their top strikers without considering those in the Eagles.
“The Pharaohs will regret their comments, including those credited to their coach, Hector Cuper, who said that the game will be a walkover for the Pharaohs.”

“They have only two players, but we have many for them to worry about; it’s not just two players that can win matches, you need a team to win games like this.”

“If they have two strong players, then, we have no fewer than four for them to contend with; I think they should be the ones worrying about what we are going to do to them.”

Siasia said, however, that his team has to play together and not give the Egyptians room to operate, adding, “we will always stay close to them and ensure that we don’t give them that room.

“Egypt lost in Chad, so if we are serious, Egypt will not be a problem; we know those players but we are going to watch their videos to make sure every loosened nuts will be tightened.’’

To enable commenting and other interactive features, please switch to the more advanced .

Ako Amadi

Hopefully they’ll declare war on the elements as well. The scorching heat in Kaduna will be a deciding factor in this game, not he football. It was most unwise to choose a venue of disadvantage to a home team full of players arriving from the winter in Europe

AriseNigeria

Ahmed Musa as captain, is that the consensus of the team?

akins12

I don’t know the reason behind chosen Kaduna stadium, when we know very well that most of our boys are from Europe.

AriseNigeria

I hope the Super Eagles wins, without the disasterious Sunday Oliseh, the team appears united, what Buhari cannot achieve in Nigeria. Oliseh is like Buhari, a man will evil spirit, and blowing the wind of division and acrimonious.